[Biofuel] Ethanol use
Hi all It's slowly turning to spring down here in the southern hemisphere, and a young man's thoughts turn to what he's going to get up to in those long summer evenings. Me, I think only of biofuel! I am having good progress and results with methanol but my long term plan is to be completely self- sufficient and ferment my own ethanol to use in my reaction. I will first buy some denatured ethanol to practice on, and I have read what is on the JtF web-site and realise I will need to really dewater my oil, use more ethanol than methanol etc. I would like to know, however, if I can increase the temperature of the reaction mixture to cut down the time taken for the reaction as ethanol boils at 78C rather than 65C, and if there are any other hints/ tips people can give through their experience of this reaction. Thanks Charles List -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Pump choice
Hi All Thanks to all who have advised me this last few months, I am now a biofueller! 105l batches, good product. Unfortunately, after 10 good batches, my pump has started spraying out of the back of the impeller housing. So I took it apart and the impeller has broken up and the housing has been eaten through at the back, around the mechanical seal. It was 30 years old or so, free and a plastic spa pump, so I'm not too distressed, but I obviously don't want it happening again. I notice that the clearwater pump used by JtF is made of cast iron, so should my next pump be made of metal? Also, is the impeller in the clearwater pump plastic? As I know you can get some with stainless steel blades, I wonder my impeller break-up was due to age or chemicals. Thanks Charles List -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Help needed!
Hi Tom As a further aside- I am, of course, trying to make the best biodiesel i can, but what % of impurities (ie methanol test failure) did you burner put up with? I'm down to 10% with my 1l trial runs now as I tweak the process for my creamy canola. Charles On 22/06/2006, at 12:20 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, I did as you plan to put a T in the line so I could have a small experimental tank, and gradually increased BD conc. Had no problem until about 50 - 60% BD. Some minor adjustments to the burner at that point. An interesting development: The shut off valves in the line apparently have a rubber or plastic seal. The valve from the large tank (30% biodiesel : 70% petro) is fine. The valve from the smaller tank (100% BD) is dripping. gives me something to do this morning. Tom - Original Message - From: Charles List [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 5:25 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Help needed! Hi Tom Many thanks for the advice. I will let you know how I get on. I intend (hopefully) to run B100 in my boiler. I was planning to ask about the adjustments I will have to make! I have set up a T-piece on the fuel feed so I can try small amount of different % to see how I go. Best Charles On 21/06/2006, at 2:30 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, Then creamy canola it is. It sounds as though you are getting a reaction . methanol test tells us it is not complete. Could be the KOH I have gotten new caustic that was not the concentration the seller (or the bag) said it was. Do you have (or can you get) a sample of KOH (or NaOH) of known purity? You could titrate a sample of the WVO with the caustic of known purity and then titrate the same oil w. the new, questionable KOH. A comparison of the titrations on the same WVO would indicate its purity. I would do it like this: (corrections appreciated) 1. Divide the titration for the known by the titration for the unknown. (Titration is inverse to concentration) 2. Multiply result by the conc. of the known. Ex: Known KOH is 85% and titration = 3.0 g/L Unknown KOH titrates 3.6 g/L 1. 3.0 divided by 3.6 = 0.8 2. 0.8 X .85 = .708 Unknown = 70.8% KOH If the Known caustic is NaOH, then multiply its titration by 1.4 prior to step 1. You wrote: Bottom layer (20%) is solid and dark redy- brown (glycerine I hope) then thin layer (5%) what looks like unreacted oil, then rest is dark brown bio. It passes the wash test and the third wash leaves clean water underneath and brown bio on top. The bio also leaves about 20-30% residue in the methanol test. Bottom layer: glycerine, I think Top layer: biodiesel + unreacted glycerides (that precipitate out in the methanol test) Middle layer: soaps?3.6g KOH/L WVO titration suggests you will get some soap, but I think 5% is a bit high ... especially if you are not using enough caustic. Could there be water in the oil (does it sizzle/pop when heated?) Be patient. Check the KOH. Heat a sample of the oil. Stir it ... be careful, if there's water in it will spatter. Hang in there, Tom P.S. What % biodiesel do you intend to burn in your boiler? Any adjustments to the burner (pressure, nozzle, air flow?) (Just curious) - Original Message - From: Charles List [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 6:38 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Help needed! Hi Tom Right, feel I'm making some progress. After a very cold night (-6C) I can now see three layers in my 1l test batch of creamy canola if I shine a light behind it. Bottom layer (20%) is solid and dark redy- brown (glycerine I hope) then thin layer (5%) what looks like unreacted oil, then rest is dark brown bio. It passes the wash test and the third wash leaves clean water underneath and brown bio on top. The bio also leaves about 20-30% residue in the methanol test. So, from this, if I assume my KOH is at fault (Occum's razor) then is there an easy way I can tell how much more KOH to add to compensate? In answer to your questions, the pre-treated oil turns very dark brown, almost black on heating past 25 degrees C and it titrates at 3.6ml (I use KOH for the titration too). My supply of normal canola has dried up as the restaurant owner has sold up and it is changing into an Indian take-away- so creamy canola is all I have to work with!! Best Charles On 20/06/2006, at 4:25 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, I think you would get a split, whether your chemicals were pure or somewhat contaminated
Re: [Biofuel] Help needed!
Hi Tom Many thanks for the advice. I will let you know how I get on. I intend (hopefully) to run B100 in my boiler. I was planning to ask about the adjustments I will have to make! I have set up a T-piece on the fuel feed so I can try small amount of different % to see how I go. Best Charles On 21/06/2006, at 2:30 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, Then creamy canola it is. It sounds as though you are getting a reaction . methanol test tells us it is not complete. Could be the KOH I have gotten new caustic that was not the concentration the seller (or the bag) said it was. Do you have (or can you get) a sample of KOH (or NaOH) of known purity? You could titrate a sample of the WVO with the caustic of known purity and then titrate the same oil w. the new, questionable KOH. A comparison of the titrations on the same WVO would indicate its purity. I would do it like this: (corrections appreciated) 1. Divide the titration for the known by the titration for the unknown. (Titration is inverse to concentration) 2. Multiply result by the conc. of the known. Ex: Known KOH is 85% and titration = 3.0 g/L Unknown KOH titrates 3.6 g/L 1. 3.0 divided by 3.6 = 0.8 2. 0.8 X .85 = .708 Unknown = 70.8% KOH If the Known caustic is NaOH, then multiply its titration by 1.4 prior to step 1. You wrote: Bottom layer (20%) is solid and dark redy- brown (glycerine I hope) then thin layer (5%) what looks like unreacted oil, then rest is dark brown bio. It passes the wash test and the third wash leaves clean water underneath and brown bio on top. The bio also leaves about 20-30% residue in the methanol test. Bottom layer: glycerine, I think Top layer: biodiesel + unreacted glycerides (that precipitate out in the methanol test) Middle layer: soaps?3.6g KOH/L WVO titration suggests you will get some soap, but I think 5% is a bit high ... especially if you are not using enough caustic. Could there be water in the oil (does it sizzle/pop when heated?) Be patient. Check the KOH. Heat a sample of the oil. Stir it ... be careful, if there's water in it will spatter. Hang in there, Tom P.S. What % biodiesel do you intend to burn in your boiler? Any adjustments to the burner (pressure, nozzle, air flow?) (Just curious) - Original Message - From: Charles List [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 6:38 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Help needed! Hi Tom Right, feel I'm making some progress. After a very cold night (-6C) I can now see three layers in my 1l test batch of creamy canola if I shine a light behind it. Bottom layer (20%) is solid and dark redy- brown (glycerine I hope) then thin layer (5%) what looks like unreacted oil, then rest is dark brown bio. It passes the wash test and the third wash leaves clean water underneath and brown bio on top. The bio also leaves about 20-30% residue in the methanol test. So, from this, if I assume my KOH is at fault (Occum's razor) then is there an easy way I can tell how much more KOH to add to compensate? In answer to your questions, the pre-treated oil turns very dark brown, almost black on heating past 25 degrees C and it titrates at 3.6ml (I use KOH for the titration too). My supply of normal canola has dried up as the restaurant owner has sold up and it is changing into an Indian take-away- so creamy canola is all I have to work with!! Best Charles On 20/06/2006, at 4:25 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, I think you would get a split, whether your chemicals were pure or somewhat contaminated. The problem would be more a matter of achieving a complete reaction. i.e. You would get biodiesel, but it might not pass quality tests. I admit to being as perplexed as you Is it correct to say that your first problems arose when you started using the creamy canola oil? (150 L batch and now w. 70L and even 1L batches). When I hear creamy oil I think animal fat and/or water buzzed into the oil by the impelled in a pump. Do you pre-heat it before processing? If so, does it turn clear? You mention that the oil turns solid at 10C (50F). This suggests that the oil contains some animal fat . from cooking. The canola oil I've used remained liquid below 10C. How does the color of the oil, after heating, compare to the color of the biodiesel you made? I've made some very dark BD from very dark WVO. (see archives: Very Dark Biodiesel, help needed Oct 20/05) I couldn't see the split w/o very bright light. Let's just consider one or two things: 1. You have done several successful test batches using virgin
Re: [Biofuel] Help needed!
Hi Tom Right, feel I'm making some progress. After a very cold night (-6C) I can now see three layers in my 1l test batch of creamy canola if I shine a light behind it. Bottom layer (20%) is solid and dark redy- brown (glycerine I hope) then thin layer (5%) what looks like unreacted oil, then rest is dark brown bio. It passes the wash test and the third wash leaves clean water underneath and brown bio on top. The bio also leaves about 20-30% residue in the methanol test. So, from this, if I assume my KOH is at fault (Occum's razor) then is there an easy way I can tell how much more KOH to add to compensate? In answer to your questions, the pre-treated oil turns very dark brown, almost black on heating past 25 degrees C and it titrates at 3.6ml (I use KOH for the titration too). My supply of normal canola has dried up as the restaurant owner has sold up and it is changing into an Indian take-away- so creamy canola is all I have to work with!! Best Charles On 20/06/2006, at 4:25 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, I think you would get a split, whether your chemicals were pure or somewhat contaminated. The problem would be more a matter of achieving a complete reaction. i.e. You would get biodiesel, but it might not pass quality tests. I admit to being as perplexed as you Is it correct to say that your first problems arose when you started using the creamy canola oil? (150 L batch and now w. 70L and even 1L batches). When I hear creamy oil I think animal fat and/or water buzzed into the oil by the impelled in a pump. Do you pre-heat it before processing? If so, does it turn clear? You mention that the oil turns solid at 10C (50F). This suggests that the oil contains some animal fat . from cooking. The canola oil I've used remained liquid below 10C. How does the color of the oil, after heating, compare to the color of the biodiesel you made? I've made some very dark BD from very dark WVO. (see archives: Very Dark Biodiesel, help needed Oct 20/05) I couldn't see the split w/o very bright light. Let's just consider one or two things: 1. You have done several successful test batches using virgin oil and then WVO so that you are on solid ground as to the measurements and procedure. In fact you have been successful scaling up to 40L. (I assume you used a different WVO) 2. Re: your recent 1 L test batch: You cannot see any split even when viewed w. a bright light? Remove a sample from the top and a sample from the bottom. (Keep them separate.) Perform a wash test on each sample. Do the samples behave differently (from each other) when you perform a wash test on them? What did you get for a titration on the oil? If all else fails, you may have to go to other sources of WVO. You had success up to 40L. You got clear cut splits, BD that washed, and may well have passed quality tests. Before frustration overwhelms you it might be a good idea to go back to where you were successful. Scale up using the same WVO that you were successful with and perform quality test to fine tune your process. If this creamy canola still fascinates you, do some 1L. test batches with it. You mentioned New Zealand; winter on your doorstep. Gotta get you making heating fuel. I'm on the other side of the equator summer's heating up. Good luck, and let me know how it goes. Tom - Original Message - From: Charles List [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2006 4:29 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Help needed! Hi Tom Thanks for that, I tried 70l at the weekend and end-product still black, so I tried a 1l batch, still black!! I am using new KOH and new methanol (as I'm scaling up I bought in bulk for the first time) so could it be one of these that's the problem? If so, how do I test if they're any good? I'm getting some kind of reaction as the black product is liquid at zero Celsius, and my oil is solid at 10 degrees, but I can't see any split at all and, as I said, the product is very very dark brown, almost black!! Charles On 17/06/2006, at 1:59 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, I think that if you drop back to 80 L you are still making a goodly bit of fuel. You still may have to tweak the process ... increase time and or temp. Get it right there and then go up in 5 or 10L increments, testing each batch, and again, tweaking, if necessary. I went from small test batches and slowly increased volume up to 20 - 25 L batches. I then jumped up to 130L batches. When I discovered that the biodiesel wasn't as good as I thought, I dropped back to 76L (20 gal)batches. After increasing processing time and then increasing temp to 140F (60C) , I finally began to consistently make BD
Re: [Biofuel] Help needed!
Hi Tom Thanks for that, I tried 70l at the weekend and end-product still black, so I tried a 1l batch, still black!! I am using new KOH and new methanol (as I'm scaling up I bought in bulk for the first time) so could it be one of these that's the problem? If so, how do I test if they're any good? I'm getting some kind of reaction as the black product is liquid at zero Celsius, and my oil is solid at 10 degrees, but I can't see any split at all and, as I said, the product is very very dark brown, almost black!! Charles On 17/06/2006, at 1:59 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, I think that if you drop back to 80 L you are still making a goodly bit of fuel. You still may have to tweak the process ... increase time and or temp. Get it right there and then go up in 5 or 10L increments, testing each batch, and again, tweaking, if necessary. I went from small test batches and slowly increased volume up to 20 - 25 L batches. I then jumped up to 130L batches. When I discovered that the biodiesel wasn't as good as I thought, I dropped back to 76L (20 gal)batches. After increasing processing time and then increasing temp to 140F (60C) , I finally began to consistently make BD that passed the methanol solubility test and did not drop out additional glycerine when I reprocessed 1L of finished product. The limitation on my system seems to be about 91L (24 gal) and is probably the volume limit of my pump, a 1 Clearwater pump. I still quality test each batch, not just to be sure of the fuel, but as a maintenance test for the processor and the materials being used. Is my recovered methanol pure enough? (If I use the first 4 gal I recover, the BD passes the quality test. When I use the first 6 gallons, little buggers show up in the methanol sol. test). Slow and methodical pays off. Best of luck. Let me know how it goes, Tom - Original Message - From: Charles List [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 4:40 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Help needed! Hi Tom Thanks for the reply I see your point- I scaled up from 40l (with a different processor) to 150l and I should have gone slower. I was just so keen to get going! My newly built pump and processor will handle 150l- but where do you think I should start? Should I scale right back to 50l and work up slowly or could I start at around 80l? Charles On 16/06/2006, at 12:44 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, Originally you wrote: I have just scaled up to a 150l processor . I have done as suggested on JtF and scaled up slowly, learning as I go. Unfortunately, my first couple of big batches (using creamy canola oil) have not gone so well At what point did you start having problems? In other words how did you progress? (25L? 50L? etc.) leading up to 150L. I would suggest that you learn and then perform quality tests described at JTF (in addition to the wash test) as you scale up. Checking to see if the BD is soluble in methanol (JTF: Quality Testing) is as easy as performing the wash test. Pass or fail, use the methanol from the test in your next batch. Using quality tests on my BD as I scaled up allowed me to tweak the process (volume of WVO, temp, time). The limit for my processor seems to be about 91L. Following misinformation from another group, I scaled up to 130L batches, only to find out, after learning about quality testing at JTF, that I was NOT making quality fuel. My batches passed the wash test, but failed upon reprocessing (1L), and also failed the methanol solubility test. This poor quality fuel (incomplete reactions) had been poured into my into my heating oil tank --- roughly 30% BD : 70% petro. While I was away the burner failed to start. Fuel had leaked out onto the floor. The service tech told my wife that the nozzle had some crap on it sputtering fuel that dribbled out onto the floor. The electrodes also had some coking. I suspect that poor quality fuel can be burned in a boiler, but may need preheating and pump pressure increased. I had to replace the nozzle twice more as well as clean the electrodes, while adding only quality BD to the tank. After using good BD I had no problems w. a 30% blend, w/o any modifications to the burner. I now use 100% biodiesel to heat my house and to heat water. At about 50 - 60% BD I had some start-up problems, corrected by increasing pump pressure, nozzle change, and decreasing air flow. I've never tried to reprocess a BD-petro blend. Best of luck, Tom - Original Message - From: Charles List [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 8:04 PM Subject: Re
Re: [Biofuel] Help needed!
Hi Tom Thanks for the reply I see your point- I scaled up from 40l (with a different processor) to 150l and I should have gone slower. I was just so keen to get going! My newly built pump and processor will handle 150l- but where do you think I should start? Should I scale right back to 50l and work up slowly or could I start at around 80l? Charles On 16/06/2006, at 12:44 AM, Thomas Kelly wrote: Charles, Originally you wrote: I have just scaled up to a 150l processor . I have done as suggested on JtF and scaled up slowly, learning as I go. Unfortunately, my first couple of big batches (using creamy canola oil) have not gone so well At what point did you start having problems? In other words how did you progress? (25L? 50L? etc.) leading up to 150L. I would suggest that you learn and then perform quality tests described at JTF (in addition to the wash test) as you scale up. Checking to see if the BD is soluble in methanol (JTF: Quality Testing) is as easy as performing the wash test. Pass or fail, use the methanol from the test in your next batch. Using quality tests on my BD as I scaled up allowed me to tweak the process (volume of WVO, temp, time). The limit for my processor seems to be about 91L. Following misinformation from another group, I scaled up to 130L batches, only to find out, after learning about quality testing at JTF, that I was NOT making quality fuel. My batches passed the wash test, but failed upon reprocessing (1L), and also failed the methanol solubility test. This poor quality fuel (incomplete reactions) had been poured into my into my heating oil tank --- roughly 30% BD : 70% petro. While I was away the burner failed to start. Fuel had leaked out onto the floor. The service tech told my wife that the nozzle had some crap on it sputtering fuel that dribbled out onto the floor. The electrodes also had some coking. I suspect that poor quality fuel can be burned in a boiler, but may need preheating and pump pressure increased. I had to replace the nozzle twice more as well as clean the electrodes, while adding only quality BD to the tank. After using good BD I had no problems w. a 30% blend, w/o any modifications to the burner. I now use 100% biodiesel to heat my house and to heat water. At about 50 - 60% BD I had some start-up problems, corrected by increasing pump pressure, nozzle change, and decreasing air flow. I've never tried to reprocess a BD-petro blend. Best of luck, Tom - Original Message - From: Charles List [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 8:04 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Help needed! Hi again Unfortunately no-one has answered my last post- have I found an insurmountable problem?! Going back a few steps and trying to figure out what's going on, I've done some more 1l batches on the original WVO I used in my process, using 9.5g of 90% KOH I got three layers- lovely bio for the top 1/2 (which passed the wash test and burnt fine), then some original oil unreacted, then some glycerine. Using 10.8g KOH I got very dark bio on top, which passes the wash test but doesn't burn, then glycerine at the bottom (looks like the right amount), but no oil un-reacted! I have trawled the archives but I can't seem to find anything that will help. I realise that I have some incomplete reactions happening but I am confused by the continually different results. Charles On 13/06/2006, at 8:30 AM, Charles List wrote: Hi all I have just scaled up to a 150l processor. I am using a 200l drum and have an old swimming pool pump that pumps at 1l per second- which seems pretty speedy! I have done as suggested on JtF and scaled up slowly, learning as I go. Unfortunately, my first couple of big batches (using creamy canola oil) have not gone so well, I am happy with my titrations and measurements but I realise that my temperature control has not been too good as the thermostat on my old spa-pool element heater had too wide a differential and was letting the mixture fall to 45degrees C before coming on again. My problem is this- my first batch came out very dark brown- almost black- but it passed the wash test, so, confused, I washed it, dried it and it was a very clear, dark brown. As it is now winter down here in NZ and the snow is falling, and I only had 50l of petro-diesel left in my boiler tank, I chucked 50l of my black biodiesel in. Against my better judgement, but I didn't know what to do! Almost immediately my boiler stopped, leaking black fuel on the floor. So- I drained my tank and tried a 1l batch test on the petro/bio mixture to see what would happen. I used 150ml methanol and 5.8g 85% KOH as my base amount on my test batch. Unfortunately nothing
Re: [Biofuel] Help needed!
Hi again Unfortunately no-one has answered my last post- have I found an insurmountable problem?! Going back a few steps and trying to figure out what's going on, I've done some more 1l batches on the original WVO I used in my process, using 9.5g of 90% KOH I got three layers- lovely bio for the top 1/2 (which passed the wash test and burnt fine), then some original oil unreacted, then some glycerine. Using 10.8g KOH I got very dark bio on top, which passes the wash test but doesn't burn, then glycerine at the bottom (looks like the right amount), but no oil un-reacted! I have trawled the archives but I can't seem to find anything that will help. I realise that I have some incomplete reactions happening but I am confused by the continually different results. Charles On 13/06/2006, at 8:30 AM, Charles List wrote: Hi all I have just scaled up to a 150l processor. I am using a 200l drum and have an old swimming pool pump that pumps at 1l per second- which seems pretty speedy! I have done as suggested on JtF and scaled up slowly, learning as I go. Unfortunately, my first couple of big batches (using creamy canola oil) have not gone so well, I am happy with my titrations and measurements but I realise that my temperature control has not been too good as the thermostat on my old spa-pool element heater had too wide a differential and was letting the mixture fall to 45degrees C before coming on again. My problem is this- my first batch came out very dark brown- almost black- but it passed the wash test, so, confused, I washed it, dried it and it was a very clear, dark brown. As it is now winter down here in NZ and the snow is falling, and I only had 50l of petro-diesel left in my boiler tank, I chucked 50l of my black biodiesel in. Against my better judgement, but I didn't know what to do! Almost immediately my boiler stopped, leaking black fuel on the floor. So- I drained my tank and tried a 1l batch test on the petro/bio mixture to see what would happen. I used 150ml methanol and 5.8g 85% KOH as my base amount on my test batch. Unfortunately nothing happened, 12 hours later, no separation, no split, no more glycerine! Has the petrodiesel stuffed it up? What can I do? Charles List -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/ biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Help needed!
Hi all I have just scaled up to a 150l processor. I am using a 200l drum and have an old swimming pool pump that pumps at 1l per second- which seems pretty speedy! I have done as suggested on JtF and scaled up slowly, learning as I go. Unfortunately, my first couple of big batches (using creamy canola oil) have not gone so well, I am happy with my titrations and measurements but I realise that my temperature control has not been too good as the thermostat on my old spa-pool element heater had too wide a differential and was letting the mixture fall to 45degrees C before coming on again. My problem is this- my first batch came out very dark brown- almost black- but it passed the wash test, so, confused, I washed it, dried it and it was a very clear, dark brown. As it is now winter down here in NZ and the snow is falling, and I only had 50l of petro-diesel left in my boiler tank, I chucked 50l of my black biodiesel in. Against my better judgement, but I didn't know what to do! Almost immediately my boiler stopped, leaking black fuel on the floor. So- I drained my tank and tried a 1l batch test on the petro/bio mixture to see what would happen. I used 150ml methanol and 5.8g 85% KOH as my base amount on my test batch. Unfortunately nothing happened, 12 hours later, no separation, no split, no more glycerine! Has the petrodiesel stuffed it up? What can I do? Charles List -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Washing
Hi all I've been doing a bit of research as I begin to up-scale my processing and I see that the University of Idaho published a report on biodiesel production where they wash the combined glycerol/ methyl ester mixture before separation, saying that this improves the effectiveness of further washing. They are talking about the ethanol trans-esterification method, but I was wondering whether anyone had tried this with the methanol method and could tell me how effective it is. Best Regards Charles List -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Diesel heating
Hi all I am currently beginning processing WVO into biodiesel to use in my home heating. I have a furnace designed specifically for diesel fuel and I would like to know if anyone has any experience of using biodiesel in such a furnace and if there are any problems they've come across. Also since it's just a combustion chamber, will I be able to get away with mixing some (20%?) WVO in with my biodiesel in my tank, and just cleaning my injectors each year? Just also wanted to share my excitement at making my first 1l batch from WVO- processed well and the third wash is crystal clear! Regards Charles List -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Kiwi Biofuellers?
Hi NigelI'm in Alexandra in South Island and I'm struggling with getting methanol delivered- I seem to need a class 3 certification for the chemical companies to deliver any to me and no-one seems to know how I go about getting one!Any thoughts?CharlesOn 22/02/2006, at 2:28 PM, Nigel Kelly wrote: Hi - newbie here, absolutely smitten with the ideas of Biofuel, and taking baby steps towards actually making some (lots of reading... and slow gathering of cheap parts for first biodiesel rig) I'm in Auckland and would love to meet anyone doing this already, compare notes and thoughts etc. Thanks Nigel___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Trying to produce biodiesel in laboratory scale
YupHe's basically refluxing it, I assume, with the liebig condenser vertically attached to the reaction vessel. A closed container would do the same thing!A good use for the liebig condenser would be to reclaim the excess methanol from the glycerine, but they are usually pretty small, so would take a while.Charles ListOn 17/02/2006, at 7:27 AM, Jared (RogueOP Productions) wrote:How did you utilize the liebig condensor? Wouldnt that condense the gas given off by the reaction into a liquid? Is that the jist of it? Turning it into a less volitile liquid instead of a gas? On 2/15/06, Duarte Nuno Januário [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi all! I've been trying (made 5 batches) to produce biodiesel in a laboratory, for educational purposes. This is what I've been doing: - 1 liter of virgin oil from supermarket - 200 mL of methanol - 3,5 grams of sodium hydroxide - Prepared the sodium metoxide by stirring for 24 hours (magnetic stirrer) in an closed Erlenmeyer - Preheated the oil to 55ºC - Using a flask with an attached Liebig condenser (to prevent methanol vapors to escape), mixed vigorously for 1 hour maintaining agitation and constant temperature (eventually drops to 52ºC when the metoxide is added) and maybe rising to a maximum of 60ºC at some instants. I do get a clear phase separation after 24 hours, but my biodiesel isn't crystal clear.When I mix a sample of the unwashed biodiesel with water and shake it, the emulsion won't separate…. It will after some hours, but with a lot of soap formation, widespread in the container. I'm using good reactants (not p.a. but trustworthy) and anhydrous conditions. There one thing I should say: I never got all the sodium hydroxide to completely dissolve in the methanol. No matter how long I keep stirring, it simply won't dissolve quantitatively. But I do filtrate the remains of solid hydroxide. Do you think this can be the problem? How can I solve it? What can I be doing wrong? Why do I keep getting all this soap? Where do you think the problem might be? In a reactant? Bad quality oil? Do you think I should titrate the virgin oil? Thank you all for your attention Duarte Nuno___Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/-- http://www.xbtz.org http://www.rogueoperator.netstream: http://www.xbtz.org:8000/listen.plsstream2: http://www.xbtz.org:8002/listen.pls 24x7 streams with live shows ___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] New Zealand resourcing
Hi Anyone out there from New Zealand who can tell me where to get competitively priced Methanol and potassium hydroxide? -- -- This email was sent using Telecom SchoolZone. www.schoolzone.net.nz This email has been scanned for viruses by Telecom SchoolZone, but is not guaranteed to be virus-free. -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
